On-farm nutrient cycling is a key way that farms can build resilience in the face of climate change. At this year's Spring Growth Conference, co-sponsored by MOFGA, Unity College and The Resilience Hub, participants will hear about historical trends impacting Maine's weather patterns and the theoretical opportunities for closing the nutrient loop. The keynote speaker is John Aber from the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of New Hampshire. MOFGA's organic crop specialist, Eric Sideman, will facilitate a farmer panel discussion of practices on the farm. Details and registration.

Organic and Sustainable Agriculture News

Local food movement gets boost in NortheastPortland Press Herald - 2/18/2011.Montpelier, Vt.: A new $250,000 federal grant is aimed at putting more locally raised food into New England's schools, colleges and hospitals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, awarded this month to the Northeast committee of the National Farm to School Network, will help pay for expanding processing of local food in Massachusetts, opening a new processing project in Maine and setting up a model distribution system.

Beekeeping alternativesTreehugger - 2/18/2011.By Sami Grover – Whether it's my post on learning top-bar hive beekeeping online, the efforts of the Barefoot Beekeeper, or the Bee Whisperer's experiments in alternative beekeeping, there seems to be an appetite out there for information on top-bar hives and other natural beekeeping methods.

Winter farmingMaine Public Broadcasting - 2/18/2011.MaineWatch – Maine people spend $4 billion per year on food, most of which goes directly out of state (it's the second largest consumer expense in Maine behind energy spending). One group is pushing to keep more food dollars local and winter farming is the key.

'Kids for Greener Camden' campaign for toxin-free lawnsVillage Soup - 2/18/2011.A trio of environmentally-conscious sixth graders is making Camden safer for kids and pets, street by street. Liv Berez, Jade Hazzard and Molly Mann have formed “Kids for a Greener Camden” to join the effort of keeping dangerous chemicals off town lawns. Liv, Jade and Molly, with the support of Camden-Rockport Middle School Principal Maria Libby and Citizens for a Green Camden, are recruiting a brigade of middle school students to help with the campaign.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center, Unity. Keynote speaker John Aber and a panel of farmers focus on weather- and climate-related changes farmers are experiencing. Includes open discussion on strategies for farmers to deal with changing climate. Information and registration.

Thursday, 10 a.m. to noon, Houlton Higher Education Center, Rm 110, 18 Military St, Houlton. Presented by Eric Sideman, Crop Specialist, MOFGA. Hosted by the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District. The class is the second in a three-part high tunnel series funded by the Broad Reach Fund of the Maine Community Foundation. 1 pesticide credit is available through the class. A complementary lunch will be served. Pre-registration is requested. Contact the SASWCD at 532-2087 x 101 or angela.wotton@me.nacdnet.net

11 a.m., Bernard Osher Foundation Auditorium, Portland Museum of Art. Join this panel of experts on local sustainability in their discussion of the importance of public food forests, public orcharding, edible street trees, permablitzing and community gardens. A Community Collaboration between Portland Museum of Art and MOFGA. Free for PMA and MOFGA members ($10 for the general public). Schedule and details.

Two-part course designed to provide farmers with a strong background in soils, weeds and pest management, enabling them to make good management decisions. Lectures by Eric Sideman, MOFGA's organic crop specialist, and local farmers. Information and registration.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Locations: Palermo with Angus Deighan; Beech Hill Farm, Mount Desert with C.J. Walke; or Kermit Nickerson School, Swanville with Sean Murphy. Do you have old trees on your land that you would like to bring back into production? Learn how to renovate and tend your heritage trees. $50 non-members; $35 members. Information and registration.

6:30 p.m., Bernard Osher Foundation Auditorium, Portland Museum of Art. Hear Christy Hemenway from Gold Star Honeybees, Heather Spalding, MOFGA deputy director, and Fedco Seeds founder CR Lawn talk about our pollinators and the national and local issues that concern them and our food supply. Maine honey and mead tasting to follow. A Community Collaboration between Portland Museum of Art and MOFGA. Free for PMA and MOFGA members ($10 for the general public). Schedule and details.